Skilled Trades

19 articles

Philadelphia students on a tour of Citizens Bank Park, learning about skilled trades careers from professionals working on stadium infrastructure.
Trades

Phillies Host Skilled Trades Program for Philadelphia Students

Just last week, 50 students from Mayfair School's trades curriculum toured Citizens Bank Park, gaining firsthand insight into the vital roles skilled professionals play in maintaining a major league s

Rick Donovan·May 27, 2026
Split image contrasting AI robots with skilled tradespeople working with tools, symbolizing Lowe's investment in human labor.
Industry

Lowe's CEO bets $250 million on trades over AI for future workforce

While headlines trumpet AI's imminent takeover of the workforce, Lowe's is committing a quarter-billion dollars over the next decade to recruit and train 250,000 skilled tradespeople, betting on wrenc

Rick Donovan·May 27, 2026
Robotic arms and human technicians collaborating in a modern data center, symbolizing AI's role in skilled trades and infrastructure.
Industry

AI's surprising role in boosting skilled trades education wages

QTS, a Blackstone portfolio company, plans to increase its workforce from 10,000 to 40,000 workers by year-end, a 300% increase.

Ben Foster·May 20, 2026
Young UK adult working on plumbing and electrical systems, with a subtle AI interface in the background, symbolizing a shift towards skilled trades.
Trades

UK sees surge in skilled trades education amid AI fears

Enrollment in UK plumbing and electrical courses surged by 40% last year, according to UK colleges.

Rick Donovan·May 20, 2026
Skilled trades workers on a construction site diligently following safety protocols, including fall protection, in a well-lit environment.
Safety

Workplace Safety Practices for Skilled Trades

In 2023, U.S. construction sites recorded 1,075 fatal injuries, according to Pelco . Falls remained the leading cause of death in the construction industry, as reported by OSHA . These incidents highl

Ben Foster·May 19, 2026
A skilled tradesperson collaborating with an AI interface in a modern workshop, illustrating AI augmenting human roles in the trades.
Trades

Ethical AI in Skilled Trades: Demand for Workers Will Rise, Not Fall

In a surprising twist, a recent industry report projects AI integration will lead to a 15% increase in demand for electricians and plumbers over the next decade.

Rick Donovan·May 19, 2026
A long line of aspiring plumbers fills a college hallway, illustrating the high demand for plumbing apprenticeship programs in Canada.
Trades

Skilled Trades Surge Overwhelms Plumbing Colleges in Canada

At Humber College in Toronto, the plumbing apprenticeship program received 3,500 applications for just 150 spots this year — a 23x oversubscription.

Rick Donovan·May 19, 2026
Diverse group of former white-collar professionals transitioning to skilled trades, working amidst AI infrastructure, symbolizing a new industrial era.
Trades

AI prompts white collar workers to switch to skilled trades

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared AI is ushering in a new industrial era, making it "a time for electricians, plumbers, iron workers, technicians, and builders," according to MoneyWise .

Rick Donovan·May 18, 2026
Diverse apprentices learning construction skills on a simulated site, guided by an instructor, highlighting the NEFBA program's success in training skilled trades professionals.
Trades

NEFBA apprenticeship program shows strong success

In 2023, every graduate from the NEFBA apprenticeship program attained NCCER industry credentials, according to www-bths.

Rick Donovan·May 15, 2026
A skilled tradesperson demonstrating proper ergonomic posture while working, highlighting safety and efficiency in a modern workshop setting.
Safety

What are ergonomics principles for skilled trades and why do they matter?

In 1996, over 647,000 American workers suffered serious injuries from overexertion or repetitive motion.

Ben Foster·May 15, 2026
A master electrician uses an AI diagnostic tool to identify complex wiring faults, showcasing the synergy between human skill and advanced technology in the trades.
Industry

AI in Skilled Trades: Navigating Ethical Frontiers

A master electrician in rural Iowa now uses an AI-powered diagnostic tool that identifies complex wiring faults in minutes, a task that once took hours of specialized human expertise and multiple site

Rick Donovan·May 15, 2026
Middle school students actively participating in hands-on plumbing, electrical, and HVAC training workshops at the Future Builders program.
Trades

Future Builders Offers Free Skilled Trades Training for Middle Schoolers

Springfield's new 'Future Builders' initiative launched last week, offering free after-school training in plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC to students aged 11-14.

Rick Donovan·May 15, 2026
Skilled tradespeople working on the construction of a large, modern data center, with AI-themed elements visible in the background.
Industry

AI's Data Center Boom Sparks Urgent Need for Skilled Trades

At a new hyperscale data center in rural Ohio, project managers offer six-figure salaries and signing bonuses for electricians and HVAC technicians.

Rick Donovan·May 15, 2026
Students training with modern equipment in an auto collision repair workshop at Saginaw Career Complex, funded by a new grant.
Automotive Services

Saginaw Career Complex receives $2.5M grant for auto collision training

The Saginaw Career Complex, whose auto collision program relied on equipment from the 1990s, just secured a $2.5 million federal grant, the largest in its 30-year history, according to the SCC Director.

Luis Ortega·May 13, 2026
Northeast Iowa Community College carpentry and electrician students proudly stand in front of a newly completed 2,000-square-foot single-family home in Calmar.
Projects

NICC carpentry and electrician students finish Calmar project home

A 2,000-square-foot, single-family residence in Calmar now stands as a testament to the practical skills gained by students from Northeast Iowa Community College's carpentry and electrician programs,

Scott Ramirez·May 13, 2026
Technicians training on solar PV and BESS systems using advanced e-learning tools, highlighting the future of skilled trades in renewable energy.
Trades

Self-Paced E-Learning Accelerates Skilled Trades Training for 2026

On May 11, 2026, Amicus O&M Cooperative launched a 30-hour online program to rapidly certify solar PV and BESS O&M technicians, reports IndexBox .

Rick Donovan·May 12, 2026
Young adults learning skilled trades in a modern workshop, representing vocational training as a solution to the skills gap.
Industry

Vocational training: A direct path to close the skills gap

A short certificate course at a trade school can cost as little as $3,900, according to skillcatapp .

Ben Foster·May 12, 2026
Skilled trades workers in 2026 wearing slightly older PPE, with a delayed shipment truck in the background, illustrating PPE availability challenges due to tariffs.
Safety

PPE for skilled trades in 2026: Availability challenges

In response to tariffs, 60% of International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) members have already delayed product development or launch plans, directly impacting the availability of essential type

Ben Foster·May 11, 2026
Students in a vocational training workshop look confused while trying to operate advanced robotic arms and AI machinery, symbolizing the growing skills gap.
Trades

Vocational Training Struggles with Tech Amidst Skills Chasm

By 2030, 2.1 million skilled trade jobs are projected to remain unfilled, a deficit that could cost the economy $1 trillion annually, even as AI and robots begin to reshape these very roles. This stag

Rick Donovan·May 10, 2026